Monday, September 30, 2013

Lessons from the Naja




     This crazy road I've traveled with Nail Talk Radio has had many twists and turns but one of the best parts has been working with Naja Rickette. Last night she announced she is stepping down as co-host, but I know she is truly stepping up. So many opportunities are opening up for this gal and I am so excited for her. As a tribute I want to share what I've learned from Naja.

It's never too late to be who you are supposed to be. Naja  is proof positive of this. After starting her work career in the culinary field she took a risk. Threw caution to the wind, left her comfy surroundings and went in search of a new career. I know she said her only criteria for a new job was to not have to trapped in any type of uniform but her search was definitely more calculated than that. When she packed her car and moved across the country with $300 it was a game changer both personally and professionally. As long as I've known Naja she is a woman evolving. Constantly learning, growing, searching for what is next for her and her career. Being open to opportunities that may have rattled others, she embraces her doubts, her fears and moves ahead never allowing herself to be held back.  This takes boldness.
 

So the second thing I'll remember is to BE BOLD! Making a total life change takes chutzpah. Taking on a new career in one of the toughest cities to do it, definitely bold. Stepping out into the editorial free lance world without a whole lot of experience has to be one of the boldest moves to make in the nail game but Naja took the leap and figured it out during the process. I just love this about her. Too many of us wait for the ideal set up, timing, situation and we get stuck. Stuck in our fear, or insecurities, or whatever haunts us. The fact that she had a fear of speaking and now is an on air personality is amazing to me. To get what we want we must walk through the hot coals of our own self doubt.

 
     It's business not personal. Working as a front desk coordinator at a spa she recognized an opportunity. So many clients were trying to get in on Sunday or Monday and so many of the salons in the area were closed on these days. Naja saw an opportunity, recognized a need and set out to fill it. Going to nail school was purely a business decision to take advantage of a hole in the market place. Finding that hole automatically set her apart from her competition. Willing to do what others were not to advance takes a certain insight. As I watched her on LA Hair she was always focused on the business side of nails. Protecting her investment in herself and her self worth is such a great example to fellow professionals. Naja never backs down from a business battle. I have seen this first hand. I strive to be as committed to the business side of this profession and have learned so much about charging what you are worth and behaving in a professional manner. From showing up on time to a set, which is really one half hour early to protecting a fellow professionals reputation Naja is always on point with a strong work ethic. Her business mind is keen and she never lets the emotional side of the business interfere with decisions. If we don't protect our investments in ourselves who will? I love this quote "You've got to work like it's your first day on the job every day. That's what I do, work hard, laugh later." This is what separates the  good from the great. I think it's bad advice to tell people that just showing  up is half the battle. They will get half the rewards. You must show up to work, nothing is outside your job description when the project is on the line. Do more than you are asked, with a smile and you will be asked back. Simple as that. I know my spirit  continues to be enriched knowing this amazing woman and I hope to carry many of her Naja-isms with me always. I look forward to seeing what is next for her and continuing to be inspired.
 
Pajama nail party Gatlinburg 2012
Thanks for the memories Naja xo

Monday, September 23, 2013

Who Are You Marketing?


 

     Are you marketing your authentic self? Are you in the right spot? Absolutely loving where you are? Let's face it, sometimes work situations are just that, situations. It might be the right spot but the wrong timing, or the right time but the wrong space? And sometimes we can find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are in a less than perfect setting what do you do? Do you pretend everything is ok? Do you ignore the gnawing at your subconscious that there has to be a better situation? If you are not 100% happy with your work situation you know it, and feel it and your clients can feel it no matter how good you think you are at hiding it. This is such a personal touch business, the energies really do transfer to your clients. This subject hit home for me the past few weeks. I have been at a booth rental salon for the past few years regrouping. It wasn't the perfect solution, but I figured I could make it work and I did. Until now. I had a few run ins with the Owner about others using my equipment and a host of other unacceptable business practices, in my opinion. We both agreed that we were never going to see eye to eye and it was probably time to part ways. While I knew this was for the best and was even in the process of looking for another space it still put me in a bit of a panic. I was kind of coasting along, justifying to myself that things were not that bad, I could tolerate the occasional difference, look the other way from a conflicting business principle. But in the end, my attitude and opinion could no longer be covered with a quick sponge bath and a shot of perfume. It stunk. So the decision to leave was truly a blessing. How do I know? Well there are certain absolutes when looking at staying or leaving. It is a process. Here are a couple of things to ask yourself if you're not sure you are in the right spot.



     Am I fulfilling my goals or someone else's? I just shared a quote this week that said Build your own dreams , or someone else will hire you to build theirs. If you are not marching steadily toward your own goals it might be time to consider a shift.
     Do my business ethics and moral responsibility align where I am? I know get more than 5 women in any business and ask a question and you will get 6 answers, because someone will change theirs at least once. You may not agree on all things but that's ok, Diversity is the spice of life. However, you must align on the really big things. Professionalism, code of conduct, business ethics. If these are out of line you are headed for a challenging relationship, in any area of life.

    Do I see myself growing long term where I am and if so is there anyone I would want to learn from here? So maybe you don't have any desire to own your own business. Maybe you want to be part of an amazing, talented group of professionals that are continuing to challenge themselves on a regular basis to be the best. Make sure there is someone that can mentor you, preferably there, on the team.
 

     Am I compromising anything to stay in my comfort zone here? It's a yes or no question, pretty simple.

     If I didn't have to work would I choose to continue where I am? This is a real eye opener. It will cut through all the fluff of the matter and go right to the core. Do you love where you are enough to stay if you didn't have to. Have you built solid relationships that you can't imagine living without? So the bottom line here is if you aren't loving what you are doing where you are doing it you are failing. Failing to market your true self. Imagine how much greater you can be, how many more awesome things you could achieve if you were aligned with the right people in the right place. Have the courage to ask these tough questions and even more courage to listen. Because that's smart marketing.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Letter to my Beauty School Self


It doesn't feel like that long ago that I sat where you are. I remember thinking I wanted to be up here one day, teaching, sharing and making a difference. Everyone you meet has something to share. I would like to share a letter to my beauty school self, ready to embark on this amazing journey.

This is not the end of your education, it is truly the beginning.

Don't believe your first few clients that told you that you have no talent and might want to consider another profession. We all start at the same place, with our education and our license. Your passion and willingness to practice your craft will make the difference. What you tell yourself must ring louder that what others tell you. You define yourself, no one else.

Don't get caught up in the lure of thinking this will be easy. There is no way around working an 8 hour day than putting in those 8 hours. Come in early, stay late, be available to opportunities. The reward is not always immediate and comes from the least likely places. Everyone on stage anywhere has done the work behind the scenes to achieve their place in this business. Even with a famous last name, you can't fake talent on stage, you have to own it.

Don't be afraid to network with your beauty heroes. Take a chance, get up your courage and introduce yourself. Many are hard working professionals willing to share their knowledge and mentor you. I reached out to my beauty heroes early in my career and soon I was writing in the same magazines I had been reading and teaching at the shows I had been attending. If you get snubbed, don't take it personally, move on, there are plenty of mentors out there.

Believe in yourself. Every path has its ups and downs and even the best have their doubts. Don't look to others to measure your success, run your own race. In the end you really only are competing with your best self. Help those around you and you too will be swept up in the wave of success.

Success in this business is just as much in your head as in your hands. Work on yourself, your communication, your positivity as much as your technical skills. They are equally important.

So to my 4th grade teacher that dubbed me motormouth Millie, I get paid to speak now.

To that client that told me I really had no talent, I worked with one of the top teams at New York Fashion week last September and my work was published in top magazines.

To my first exboss that told me I would never accomplish anything, I have a marketing segment every week on Nail Talk Radio and professionals from around the world tune in to listen. My salon was voted first runner up in the Artist and Visionary Salon of the Year its second year in business. I am listed in Who's Who in America for Business and Marketing achievers. Success is always the best revenge.

This is such an exciting time to be entering this amazing business of beauty. So keep your voice louder than any others, stay true to the belief in yourself and enjoy the ride.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Always an Adventure

 
    So this week has brought me full circle. After closing my salon, working several different salons I come  back to the same realization I had in 2000. To be truly committed to my profession, my art and my passion I know it has to be in my own space. I will be opening my own beauty studio again. I will open it with all the lessons of the first two salons I opened, and the lessons of the last two years. While I am nervous, I am excited. The thing is I know what it takes, I understand the task. Maybe that has caused my hesitation to jump right back into my own place. But my passion for this business is stronger than ever, my commitment to my clients, never waivered. I will post my progress here as another adventure to share. I rejoin the hundreds of thousands of small business owners that are the lifeblood of these great United States of America. Living the dream :)

Monday, September 16, 2013

What is Blocking Your Success?

 

      I ran across this article in Entrepreneur magazine this week and boy did some of these look familiar. I don't know about you but I think there is a little but if an Entrepreneur in all of us. I preach this at the beauty schools when I am invited to speak to their students. Never, ever forget you will always be 100% responsible for You Incorporated. You are the CEO, chief cook and bottle washer of your corporation, your career. No one is going to put as much effort into you, as you. The funny thing is even knowing these blockers, on any given day I am still guilty of one of two. So what's stopping you?

1. You don't complete a task before you start a new one. Me? Boy is this one ever true. Entrepreneurs are idea people, thing is we have lots of ideas. It's the follow through that gets our hair in a knot. Entrepreneurs simply have a hard time finishing a project, no matter the time or the resources.  They can't focus. Maybe we are too attached to the project? The OCD perfectionist in us gets the better of us and we fear the project won't be good enough, or if we just spend more time it would be perfect. So we struggle for that perfection afraid we cannot change things later. They quote Seth Godin for his book Linchpin, excellent book by the way. He writes "The only purpose of starting is to finish, and while projects we do are never really finished, they must ship". If it's close enough it's close enough, ship it.

2 You micromanage everything.  You've started your own business because you know you are the only one that can do the job as well as you. This believe is a recipe for disaster. You just can't do it all and if you expect to grow your business you must step back, lead and trust those around you. If you don't currently have one get yourself a support team. Remember it is unsuccessful entrepreneurs that insist on doing everything themselves, not the other way around.

3 You're Always right. Entrepreneurs have a really hard time admitting they are wrong or have made a mistake. Mistakes after all are learning opportunities. When you've got a few, or more out of the way you develop strong enough shoulders to support them like a back pack. Don't hide from things that haven't gone according to plan. You only lose out if you miss the lesson. Being wrong is one step closer to being right the next time. Empty your back pack, ask for advice or counsel and move on.
 
4 You ask questions but don't really want to know the answer. Everyone knows this person, some quite well. This entrepreneur only listens long enough to hear if you are going to agree with them. They never take constructive criticism well. Honestly it is unfortunate that some only surround themselves with people that agree with them. The number one lesson in team building is to put together a diverse group dynamic with room for different perspectives and plenty of debate. I' m sure you've heard the saying you can't solve a problem with the same thinking that created it? Check your ego at the door and truly listen to others.

5. You always find a reason to not move forward. We know this person, plenty of us have been this person at one time or another. The economy is not good, the timing isn't right. I don't have enough money, or support, or nail polish. The cold hard truth is there is never the perfect time for anything. You just have to decide to move forward, take the next step. Have some faith, gather your courage and get out of your way.
 

Monday, September 9, 2013

If You Build It

 
     Today's marketing tip is about marketing's second cousin building your clientele. I am very fortunate to have a large, loyal clientele but believe me when I tell you there was no luck involved. Just plain hard work, long hours and sweat equity. I worked today, and before you all go they need to respect our time off, which I totally agree, once in a while you have to break the rules. I have the clientele I have because sometimes I break the rules. The client I did today is the daughter of one of my clients that was only in town for the day from school and needed her hair done. Granted if I had plans that conflicted I would have said so, I didn't, so I worked. She appreciated it and I know her mother did. Feels a whole lot like loyalty to me.
     When I was an owner my staff would rarely let me answer the phone because I would book myself into oblivion. They would say, you know they will come in whenever. To which I would respond, I didn't build up the clientele I have by getting them in whenever. I travel, a lot during show season and appointments need to be rearranged. How could I expect my clients to be flexible if I won't be? Many newbie's struggle to build a clientele. I witnessed this firsthand. They want to be busy but won't do what it takes to get busy. It's no different today as I watch the newbie's coming out of school. Come in early? Stay late? What's that? Granted there are exceptions and I have seen those too. I built the clientele I have because I worked hours that were convenient for my clients. Do you think it is my choice to work two nights a week and Saturdays? Heck no, but when are most people available for appointments? Evenings and weekends. You must make yourself available when they are. My clients know I would do just about anything they ask. They have come to trust that in me. Do some take advantage? Every once in a while but they are few and far between. The one thing I never budge on is price, I've learned that the hard way.  Most of my clients have been with me over 15 years.
 
I was honored to be a bridesmaid in my client Geri's wedding

 

     We have been through the best of time and the worst of times. I break the rules about getting personal with clients also. We share so much time together, I see them more often than some of their own family members see them. I always make sure I have something positive to say to them when they spend this valuable time me. I remember listening to Geno Stampora's tapes and he reminds us you are your conversation. When clients leave us make sure it's with a positive story and not a negative one. Make sure they had a warm and fuzzy experience, not a bitch session. Heck they can stay home , or go to work for that. I'm an encourager, I compliment my clients, reassure them they are a good mom, wife, or whatever they are struggling with. The flipside of this coin is I get so much back from my clients by breaking a few rules. When I lost my dad, and my sister, and my marriage fell apart there they were, week after week, making sure I was ok. Sending cards. Skipping the extras  so  I wouldn't miss the start of a concert. Go be a mom, they would say. I'm quite sure I couldn't have made it through some days without them.  I guess what I'm saying is that your people skills are just as important as your technical skills. They go hand in hand. If you are not as busy as you want ask yourself if you go the extra mile, or are cutting the corners.
     In Jim Collins book Good to great he reveals the enemy of great, is good. If you are good enough and satisfied with your career being good enough that truly is a stumbling block to greatness.  Greatness requires perseverance, and dedication, and practice and compassion and a commitment to doing the right thing, always. I check myself on these skills often and I'm not always on target. But I am on the radar, and when I find myself steering off course I give myself a swift kick in the right direction. To have an amazing, loyal clientele it's worth the effort.